Review: Johns’ Boys at The Queen’s Hall

Johns’ Boys, the first and only Welsh Male Voice Choir to win the prestigious ‘Choir of the World’ title, made their Scottish debut at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall. Fresh from a star-making turn on Britain’s Got Talent, the choir played to a packed and deeply enthusiastic crowd.

This was one of those rare gigs where the audience’s love for the performance was palpable, and the performers on stage could feel that love, returning it in kind.

A Virtuous Cycle of Joy

From the opening note, a “virtuous cycle of appreciation and energy” began to build between the stage and the stalls. The atmosphere was electric.

It was clear that many in the audience had travelled quite a distance for this debut. I overheard several Dutch accents in the pub during the intermission, and the couple beside me had travelled from the Netherlands, in part, for the show, demonstrating the choir’s significant and growing international appeal.

Despite the name, Johns’ Boys are not ‘boys’. They are a diverse group of men of all ages, from recent university graduates to silver-haired retirees. They are named not for their youth, but in honour of two influential Welsh composers from their home village, John Tudor Davis and John Glyn Williams.

Their dedication is remarkable. These men, who could easily be taking it easier, instead piled onto a bus and travelled 250 miles from Wales to Edinburgh to deliver this performance.

From Butterflies of Doom to Blue Jeans

The performance was cleverly structured in two halves. First, the choir appeared in formal dinner jackets, white shirts, and bow ties – like “black butterflies of doom.” This half showcased their immense technical skill, blending traditional Welsh songs with the powerful, operatic sound you might expect from a world-class choir.

The Britain’s Got Talent effect was present, with a superb solo from Matthew Budd, who featured prominently on the TV show. However, the choir had clearly adapted their set for their Edinburgh audience, platforming several Scottish members of the group.

The undisputed highlight was a stunning rendition of “The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond,” led by a soloist named Hamish, himself from Edinburgh. As his vocal began to fade, two more singers stepped forward, before the entire choir returned to the stage, their combined harmonies filling the hall. The conductor turned, raised his hands to the crowd, and the audience required no second invitation, joining in for a wonderfully powerful singalong.

After the intermission, the “stuffiness” vanished. The choir returned in casual jeans and shirts, shifting the tone to be “far more approachable.” This half was packed with contemporary hits and musical theatre classics. We heard songs from West Side Story, a Lewis Capaldi number, and a fantastic, crowd-pleasing version of Robbie Williams’ “Angels.”

Overall

I’ll be honest: Welsh male choirs are not my usual go-to. My playlists are more likely to feature 70s punk, 80s hair metal, and modern K-pop. Choir music is not high on my spectrum.

And yet, I was very impressed and really enjoyed tonight. Johns’ Boys have a remarkable talent for bridging genres, connecting with their audience, and delivering a show of pure, unadulterated musical joy. If you see them touring next year, I absolutely encourage you to get the tickets. It will be a fantastic night out.